All Sol Valley Upgrade Shrines in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
After unlocking the three elemental weapons in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, players will be able to significantly upgrade them by exploring the game’s new desert region, Sol Valley. Spread throughout this sparse environment are six underground shrines, each offering an upgrade to a specific elemental weapon. There are also three shrines above ground that add a new charge for the Vi-O-La motorcycle’s Boost ability. In this guide, we’ll show you where you can find every shrine in Metroid Prime 4‘s Sol Valley desert region.
Metroid Prime 4: Beginner Tips & Tricks
With such a long gap between entries, both old and new players may need some help getting started with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
All Elemental Upgrades Shrines in Sol Valley – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Upgrade Shrines Explained:
Metroid Prime 4 features six elemental upgrade shrines – two for each elemental weapon. Regardless of which of the two shrines you visit first, the upgrade order will always be the same. First, you’ll unlock the Charged Shot for the weapon, then the Super Shot.
However, you will not be able to simply venture out into the desert once you unlock your first elemental weapon. Each shrine is locked with an Elemental Blocker, so you’ll need to possess the correct weapon to simply enter these shrines. Each shrine also contains one expansion item – a Missile Expansion, Shot Expansion, or Energy Tank. Below, we’ll show you where to find each shrine, how to solve the puzzle inside and collect the upgrade item, and where to find the expansion item within.
All Fire Shot Upgrade Shrine in Sol Valley – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Rings of Stone Shrine Solution – Fire Shot Upgrade:
- Blocker Type: Ice Blocker
- Expansion Item: Shot Expansion
After using the Ice Shot to destroy the Ice Blocker locking the entrance elevator, you’ll descend into what appears to be a relatively sparse shrine. However, when you get to the end of the room, use your Psychic Visor, and you’ll discover a large, ringed apparatus built into the ground.
Fully scanning the object will activate it, making it rise from the ground and begin to spin. You’ll see that there are three rings spinning around a target object in the center.
Use the Psychic Charge Beam to slow time and easily destroy the target in the center.
This will turn the rings into an elevator that leads down to the upgrade item.
To collect the Shot Expansion, stand with your back to the Upgrade Item/Exit statue and look at the ceiling in scan mode. You’ll see purple Psychic Energy coming out of a small opening. Use the Psychic Charge Beam to destroy a target inside that small chamber. Doing so will cause a small Morph Ball entrance to be revealed behind the item statue, which leads to the Shot Expansion.
Ladder of Thought Shrine Solution – Fire Shot Upgrade:
- Blocker Type: None
- Expansion Item: Energy Tank
The Ladder of Thought shrine features a fairly simple puzzle. There are two platforms, each with a Psychic Node that Samus can latch onto. You’ll need to jump on one, then raise the other, going back and forth until you can reach the upper platform. From the upper platform, the upgrade altar is just on the other side of the door.
To get the Energy Tank, you’ll need to find the Morph Ball slot that is in the wall near the upper platform door. You’ll need to use Fire Shot to burn the webbing away to reveal it.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Volt Forge Interactive Map
Our interactive map for Volt Forge in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. All the abilities, upgrades, and collectibles found in the area.
All Ice Shot Upgrade Shrines in Sol Valley – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Source of Spring Shrine – Ice Shot Upgrade:
- Elemental Blocker Type: None
- Expansion Item: Missile Expansion
The Source of Spring Shrine requires players to have the Ice Shot, as you’ll need to freeze water. When you enter the main chamber, you’ll see three pipes releasing three makeshift waterfalls. In the center, you’ll see a platform directly below the center waterfall. The goal here is to freeze the right and left pipes so all the water comes out of the center, lowering the platform.
Once the platform is lowered, you’ll see the door to the upgrade chamber. The shrine’s Missile Expansion can be seen behind a gate on the ground level. To the right of the gate, you’ll see the point where one of the waterfalls hits the ground. Behind this water is a Morph Ball slot, which leads to the chamber with the Missile Expansion.
Floating Path Shrine Solution – Ice Shot Upgrade:
- Elemental Blocker Type: Thunder Blocker
- Expansion Item: Shot Expansion
The Floating Path Shrine will require Samus to have access to the Thunder Shot before she can enter, as it is locked with a Thunder Blocker.
Once you enter the main chamber of the shrine, you’ll see two Psychic Nodes on pedestals. You’ll need to insert those nodes into the extending platforms one at a time, slowly making your way across the gap.
When you reach the end, take one of the nodes and place it in the door, then pull it down like usual. This will provide access to the upgrade chamber.
To get the Shot Expansion, take one of the Psychic Nodes down to the lower level, and insert it in the receptacle on the back of the statue. A small chamber will open up, revealing the expansion item inside.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Ice Belt Interactive Map
Our interactive map for Ice Belt in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. All the abilities, upgrades, and collectibles found in the area.
All Thunder Shot Upgrade Shrines in Sol Valley – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Ring of Thunder Shrine Solution – Thunder Shot Upgrade:
- Elemental Blocker Type: None
- Expansion Item: Energy Tank
Before you enter the Ring of Thunder shrine, which does not have any elemental lock, head around to the back of it and use the Psychic Visor to unlock the hidden chamber that contains an Energy Tank.
Inside the main shrine chamber, you’ll see a ring of pylons. If you use your Psychic Visor, you’ll see two of the pylons can be manipulated. You’ll want to raise both pylons, so the conductive section is exposed. Next, send one Thunder Shot charge into any of the pylons, and what the charge arc around the entire circle. This will reveal an elevator that will take you down to the upgrade chamber.
Falling Labyrinth Shrine Solution – Thunder Shot Upgrade:
- Elemental Blocker Type: Thunder Blocker
- Expansion Item: Shot Expansion
The Falling Labyrinth shrine will require the Thunder Shot to enter. Once inside, make your way through the first door, and into the chamber with the Spinner object in the center of the room. Use Psychic Boost to reveal a node in the object.
Take the Psychic Node, and place it in the circular grate directly above you in the ceiling. Doing this will reveal a massive Psychic Spider Ball track all around the walls and ceiling.
To find the best path up, follow the track down from the exit to the start. This will tell you the best starting track. Once you make it up through the hole in the ceiling, you’ll simply need to open the door to the upgrade chamber.
To get the Shot Expansion, drop to the lowest level, and look for the Morph Ball hole in the bottom of the central structure. The expansion item is inside.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Flare Pool Interactive Map
Our interactive map for Flare Pool in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. All the abilities, upgrades, and collectibles found in the area.
All Vi-O-La Boost Upgrades in Sol Valley – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Three Motorcycle Boost Charge Upgrades:
There are three Vi-O-La Boost Tanks spread around Sol Valley. Each upgrade requires Samus to destroy an Elemental Blocker before she can collect the tank. The locations are as follows:
Western Boost Tank Shrine Location:
The western Boost Tank upgrade shrine is located just about perfectly between Volt Forge and Fury Green, on the western edge of Sol Valley. Like all three shrines, it is on a raised rock platform that you’ll need to jump onto. Some will require the Psychic Boots, and others will require you to jump from smaller rock platforms.
The Western Boost Tank shrine is locked with a Fire Blocker.
Eastern Boost Tank Shrine Location:
The Eastern Boost Tank upgrade shrine is located southeast of the eastern G.F. Debris field. You can also head directly north from the Source of Spring shrine, and you’ll quickly come to the raised plateau where the tank is found.
The Eastern shrine is locked with an Ice Blocker.
Chrono Tower Boost Tank Shrine Location:
The third and final Boost Tank upgrade shrine is found southwest of Chrono Tower, directly outside the force-field that surrounds it. It is once again found sitting on a plateau-shaped rock.
The Chrono Tower shrine is locked with a Thunder Blocker.